Mayor and Council

The primary functions of Municipal Council are to establish administrative policy, to adopt bylaws governing matters delegated to local government through the Community Charter and other Provincial statutes for the protection of the public, and to levy taxes for these purposes. Municipal Council is also empowered to manage, acquire and dispose of City assets.

Role of the Mayor

The Mayor is the head and chief executive officer of the municipality. In addition to the Mayor's powers and duties as a member of Council, the Mayor has powers as set out in the Community Charter. These powers and duties include:

Seeing that the policies and bylaws for the improvement and good government of the municipality are carried out;

Communicating information to Council and recommending bylaws, resolutions, and measures that, in the Mayor's opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality in relation to the powers conferred on Council by any Act;

Establishing standing committees of Councillors for matters the Mayor considers would be better regulated and managed by means of committee and appointing members of Council to these committees;

Inspecting and directing the conduct of officers and employees, directing the management of municipal business and affairs;

Returning for reconsideration a bylaw, resolution or proceeding of Council;

Presiding at Council meetings;

Preserving order at Council meetings and deciding the points of order that may arise;

Role of Council

Council is the governing body of The Town of Gibsons and the custodian of its powers, duties, and functions, both legislative and administrative. The Community Charter specifies that the purpose of local government (which is defined as being Council) includes:

Providing good government for its community

Providing works, services, facilities, and other things that the municipality considers necessary or desirable for all or part of its community

Providing stewardship of the public assets of its community

Fostering the current and future economic, social and environmental well being of its community.

In their role as Council, they collectively develop policies through the adoption of bylaws and passing of resolutions.

It is important to note that individual members of Council cannot make a decision on behalf of Council nor, individually, are they able to give direction to staff. To do either, they must give a collective direction as a group at a properly convened meeting.

Council may not grant special privileges or immunities to individuals or corporations unless the Community Charter specifically allows them to do so. Generally speaking, they cannot lend money to corporations, give away land, guarantee loans for business purposes, or give tax reductions.

Council holds two regular meetings each month, on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and agendas are available at Town Hall and on the Town’s website.

Contact:
Please note that Council members do not maintain regular office hours at Town Hall. If you would like to send an email to Mayor and Council as a group, please send your email to mayorandcouncil@gibsons.ca. If you wish to email members of Council individually, please use the email address provided in their respective profiles.